The composition of tattoo pigments could have an unknown effect on the body They contain preservatives and contaminants such as cobalt, chromium, manganese and nickel. Allergic and other reactions to tattoo inks are not common.

“In future experiments we will also look into the pigment and heavy metal burden of other, more distant internal organs and tissues in order to track any possible biodistribution of tattoo ink ingredients throughout the body,” the researchers wrote in their paper.